NIBONG TEBAL: Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has told his Kedah counterpart, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, to look after his own backyard first before offering to sell treated water to Penang.
He said Sanusi should look after his own state first before claiming Penang has no water despite being a developed state.
Chow said those who visit Langkawi now are well aware of the issues arising from the leaks in the submerged treated water supply pipeline linking the mainland to Langkawi, which have yet to be fully fixed.
"So, take care of Kedah first before accusing Penang.
"Yes, I do acknowledge that there are (water) issues in some areas, but we have taken steps to address the matter," he said in his speech at the launch of the unity pact's election machinery ahead of the Sungai Bakap state seat by-election last night.
Sanusi, in his speech at the launch of Perikatan Nasional's election machinery for the Sungai Bakap by-election on Saturday, had said that Chow was welcome to negotiate with him to buy excess treated water from the Lubuk Buntar Water Treatment Plant (WTP) for the neighbouring state.
The Lubuk Buntar WTP is located in Bandar Baharu, some 16km away from the Kedah-Penang border.
Chow also chided Sanusi, saying that the water issue had nothing to do with race.
"Sanusi, when addressing the water issue in Penang, particularly in Sungai Bakap, said that the majority affected were Malays.
"We know this has nothing to do with race. It affects everyone.
"Sanusi has his own way of thinking, but he is well-liked because people enjoy listening to things that don't make sense," he added.
Chow said he would confront any challenges as it was his responsibility to do so.
"I stand here to address the water issue.
"We don't run away from responsibility. If there is a problem, then we will look for a solution," he said.
Chow also thanked Kedah Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid for his prompt response to the matter.
Mahdzir told Sanusi to focus on resolving the treated water supply woes in Kedah first before even thinking of selling it to Penang.
He said that such an idea was unrealistic given that Kedah currently has zero water reserve margin.
